Experiential Knowledge and the Covenantal Relationship in Alma 7

Abstract: A favorite scripture of many faithful saints is Alma 7 which describes how the Savior came to Earth to understand, in the flesh, not only human sin, but human suffering. He did this in order to succor and heal us. Two points may seem curious to readers. First, the doctrinal power of verses 11–13, which form a chiasm, has as its apex not “mercy in succoring us,” but the “in the flesh” detail. A second curiosity is that Alma ends his beautiful teaching with his brief testimony, but then, the topic appears to change completely and seemingly inexplicably to a discussion of repentance and baptism. Closer examination reveals that the next two verses (14–15) form a second chiasm. If the first chiasm can be viewed as a statement of what Christ offers us, the second may be viewed as what we offer Christ. He runs to us in 7:11–13; we run to him in 7:14–15. When viewed together, the two chiasms form a two-way covenantal relationship, which Alma promises will result in our eternal salvation.